This beautiful, sepia-toned postcard is more than just a greeting; it’s a tiny time capsule of friendship, dogs, and the golden age of the picture postcard. Here is a look at the history and charm behind this postcard find.
The Stars of the Show: A Cairn and a Spaniel
The front of the postcard features a delightful image of two beloved dog breeds posed outdoors among the heather or rough terrain:
The Westie/Cairn Terrier: On the left is a shaggy, charismatic terrier. While often simply labelled "Westie" (West Highland White Terrier), the slightly darker, shaggier coat suggests it may be a Cairn Terrier, a close cousin that was also hugely popular in the UK during the 1920s and 30s.
The Springer Spaniel: On the right is a gorgeous black and white Spaniel, likely an English Springer Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel, known for its soulful eyes and friendly demeaner.
The use of "Real Photograph" is key. Postcards of this era were often produced by literally printing the image onto photographic paper, giving them a much higher quality, depth, and permanence than lithographed cards. This suggests the publisher considered it a premium card.
The Verse
The lovely script on the right side contains a classic, sentimental greeting for a birthday, using the formal term "Natal Day":
This bears a hearty greeting,
A message, just to say,
I wish you many glad returns,
On this your Natal Day.
Best Wishes
Unlocking the History: The Publisher and Date
The details on the back of the card provide crucial clues:
| Detail | Insight |
| W.B.L. "Academy" Series, London, E.C.2. | This identifies the publisher as W.B.L. (likely W.B. Lowe or a similar firm) and the series name "Academy." E.C.2 (Eastern Central 2) is a London postal district. |
| "PRINTED IN ENGLAND" | Confirms the origin of the card's printing. |
| "THIS IS A REAL PHOTOGRAPH" | Reinforces the quality and format of the postcard. |
| Card Number (Front lower right): 4710/3 | This specific number helps collectors identify the image, suggesting it was part of a large catalogue. |
| Style of Card | The split back (separate spaces for communication and address) was standard for British postcards after 1902. However, the style, subject matter (sentimental animal photos), and the specific "Academy" series point strongly to the 1930s. Other similar cards from this series are also commonly dated to that decade. |
🖋️ The Personal Message: A Glimpse of "Muriel"
The handwritten message is perhaps the most charming part of this collectible:
"Best Wishes, from your loving friend Muriel"
The handwriting is a neat, looping cursive, typical of the era.
And what about the collection of "Xs" at the bottom? These are almost certainly kisses or hugs—a common and endearing way to end a personal message between friends or family members on a card. Muriel clearly had a lot of affection for the recipient!
The fact that the card was left unposted and unstamped indicates that Muriel either delivered it by hand or enclosed it inside a sealed envelope. Since the card's purpose was to be a birthday greeting ("Natal Day"), it suggests a close friendship where a personal delivery was possible.
This postcard is a lovely example of the early 20th-century trend of sending high-quality, sentimental "real photograph" cards, capturing a moment of warm human (and canine) connection from the 1930s.
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